The Need for a Culture of Care and Safety for Ethnobiologists in the Field

Abstract

Ethnobiology has made significant strides in its ethical engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. However, the discipline has largely overlooked the multidimensional risks and vulnerabilities that researchers themselves encounter. Ethnobiological fieldwork is inherently intersubjective and requires deep emotional engagement, which can impose profound psychological burdens, particularly in contexts marked by structural violence. These risks are not evenly distributed but are shaped by intersectionality; women and researchers from marginalized communities face disproportionate levels of harassment and insecurity. We argue that the current silence around researcher trauma compromises not only individual well-being but also the epistemic integrity of the data collected. To address this, we propose a “culture of care” framework that shifts responsibility from the individual to a collective system of accountability shared by supervisors and institutions. Central to this is a proactive risk management strategy that integrates contextual analyses and establishes clear trigger points for suspending activities. We conclude that fostering a culture of care is an affirmation of epistemic justice, essential for sustaining diverse participation and fostering a more resilient, inclusive, and ethically rigorous science, not only within ethnobiology but across all community-engaged disciplines.